Howard County youth participate in 4-H hands-on learning experiences, gaining knowledge and building skills with guidance from caring adults. They are learning how to become Iowa's innovators, entrepreneurs, communicators, leaders and more.

Youth in K-12 grades get a wide range of opportunities through 4-H engagement. Clover kids (K-3) learn basic coding, nutrition and wellness education.  Over eighty clover kids participated in our county programs which are held after school at Crestwood and Notre Dame schools in Cresco, Riceville School in Riceville, and Holy Trinity in Protivin.

4-H members in Howard County range from grades 4 through 12 are learning life skills which prepares them to be good citizens, enter the workforce with skills and knowledge and prepares them for college or workforce futures. Howard County 4-H members have unique opportunities to raise livestock at our local fairground facilities with swine and dairy projects. This is an opportunity for urban children to learn valuable animal production skills. Partnerships with our local Mighty Howard County Fairboard, Reicks View Farms, H & H Dairy have supported this ongoing effort the last several years. Completion of these animal learning projects allows children to learn valuable showmanship skills at the local fair and learn about our food chain and supply. Our partnership with local schools provides learning opportunities for grades three through five with programs like Dairy Story, Clover Kids, and Farm Safety.  Farm Safety is held yearly for fifth grade students in Howard County.  A wide variety of presenters on various farm related safety topics including animal safety, electrical safety, law enforcement, chemical safety, fire safety, machinery safety, LP gas safety, and the most popular topic is medical helicopter landing at the site for the students to learn about.

ISU Extension and Outreach engages Iowa’s farmers, producers, and agribusinesses with innovative agricultural education. They use our research-based information and resources to make decisions about producing healthy food, protecting natural resources, optimizing input costs, and growing the economic base in Iowa agriculture.

Yearly trainings with farm producers enhance the ability to help preserve our land and resources through education and certifications. Commercial and private manure applicators benefit from learning new regulations, new safety procedures, and refining the knowledge of applying the valuable resources back into the land. Commercial and private pesticide applicators come together yearly for re-certifications to learn safety practices, law updates and proper application to protect our land and wildlife working hand in hand with Department of Natural Resources. Howard County dairy producers get yearly training in a program called Dairy Days which gives them updates on animal health and production. Yearly land lease meetings brings producers current information on prices and trends working hand in hand with landlords and tenants. This information helps them make informed decisions on operating and growing so both landlords and tenants get a better impact in the marketplace.

ISU Extension and Outreach provides online and in-person education to meet the needs of Iowa’s workforce and engages entrepreneurs to increase resiliency on main street and in local business districts. Our research -based information and resources help community leaders address economic development, housing and other local issues.

Howard County Extension and Outreach works with economic development and businesses in the county to assure we are keeping the housing, workforce, and child care needs front and foremost.  Although difficult to solve, progress is being made working little steps at a time. A group of young people have started training in the Leading Communities program. This program will bring youthful leadership in needed areas in our community. This is the third group of young leaders to complete this program in the last 5 years. Working collaboratively with Howard County Economic Development to provide young people in our community with an opportunity to learn and help make a difference. Young leaders and young families are moving back to rural Iowa and Howard County for affordable living, excellent education for our young people, and job opportunities.